Patna : Connectivity between Patna and Jharkhand is set to improve with the planned four-laning of an approximately 88-km stretch of National Highway 139 (NH-139), connecting Naubatpur in Patna district with Arwal and Aurangabad before reaching Hariharganj near the Jharkhand border. The project is estimated to cost Rs 2,500 crore and has received approval from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
The project, included in the annual work plan of Bihar’s Road Construction Department (RCD), will upgrade the existing two-lane road to four lanes. It also includes bypasses in five towns and a proposed flyover on the Grand Trunk Road (GT Road) in Aurangabad.
The upgrade is expected to improve travel between Patna and southern Bihar, strengthen road links with Jharkhand and facilitate the movement of commercial vehicles along the corridor.
NH-139 To Connect Patna With Jharkhand Through Four-Lane Road
The existing road from Naubatpur through Arwal and Aurangabad to Hariharganj is notified as NH-139. The route was previously known as State Highway 2.
Once upgraded, the wider road is expected to accommodate traffic more efficiently and provide a smoother journey for passenger and freight vehicles. The corridor is also used for transporting goods, including minerals and other commercial commodities.
The four-laning is expected to reduce traffic pressure along busy stretches and improve connectivity between Patna, towns in southern Bihar and areas bordering Jharkhand.
Arwal To Get 12.3-Km Bypass
A key component of the project is a 12.3-km bypass in Arwal. Additional bypasses are planned in Daudnagar, Aurangabad, Obra and Amba.
The bypasses are intended to divert through-traffic away from town centres, reducing the number of long-distance vehicles passing through densely populated areas. This could ease congestion for local commuters while improving the movement of trucks and other commercial vehicles.
The Arwal bypass is particularly significant for traffic travelling along the NH-139 corridor, where the movement of commercial vehicles contributes to pressure on existing roads.
Aurangabad To Get Proposed Flyover On GT Road
The project also includes a proposed flyover on GT Road in Aurangabad. Together with the four-laning and bypasses, the flyover is expected to improve traffic flow at a key junction along the route.
Diverting long-distance traffic away from congested urban sections could reduce delays and make road travel more convenient. The proposed infrastructure is also expected to support smoother movement between NH-139 and other major highways in the region.
Connectivity With Varanasi-Kolkata Expressway To Improve
The upgraded road is expected to strengthen connectivity with the Varanasi-Kolkata Expressway network, improving links between southern Bihar and neighbouring states.
The NH-139 corridor is an important route for vehicles travelling between Patna, Aurangabad, Jharkhand and adjoining regions. Better road capacity could make the transportation of goods more efficient and support regional trade.
The project is expected to benefit both passenger traffic and freight movement, although the extent of these improvements will depend on the completion of the proposed road works and associated structures.
Rs 2,500 Crore Project To Strengthen Regional Connectivity
With an estimated investment of Rs 2,500 crore, the NH-139 upgrade is planned as a major road infrastructure project linking Patna with the Jharkhand border through Naubatpur, Arwal and Aurangabad.
The combination of four-laning, bypasses and a proposed flyover is intended to improve traffic movement along the corridor while reducing congestion in towns along the route.
A construction completion date has not been specified in the available report. The project’s benefits will depend on implementation of the planned road widening and associated infrastructure.
